How contractors are adapting to low GWP refrigerant
The popular refrigerant 410A is being phased down in favor of alternatives that are more eco-friendly. Discover the details about HFC refrigerant regulations and how HVAC contractors are managing the change.
What’s happening with HFC refrigerants
The American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act passed by Congress in October of 2020 limits the future production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) gases. This mirrors global initiatives such as The Kigali Amendment and state initiates such as CARB in California.
These campaigns will direct the industry away from using high GWP refrigerants such as R-410 to lower global warming potential (GWP) alternatives like R-32, R-454B, and R-452B. But there will be trade-offs. These next-generation refrigerants are designated mildly flammable or A2l. This, in turn, requires code adoption and training, which will take time to roll out.
The good news is that in addition to having lower GWP, R-32 systems will have higher efficiency and capacity than an equivalent R-410 system.
What’s next for HFC refrigerant regulations
“410A is just one part of the whole hydrofluorocarbons’ family of gases, and it’s the most popular,” explained John Maiorana, Forane Refrigerants® product support manager.
He added that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) “has reduced the amount of HFCs that are allowed to be produced through a mechanism of allocation allowances relative to CO2 (GWP=1). Therefore, since R-410 has a GWP of 2028 and R-32 a GWP of 677, much more R-32 will be available than R-410 in the future. Very high GWP refrigerants such as R-404a (GWP- 3922) used in refrigeration will disappear more quickly.”
The first step down happened in 2022, then a larger step down in 2024, and following that will be another in 2029, eventually leading to a final phase-down in 2036, which is when production will stabilize at 15% of the historic baseline, reserved primarily for servicing existing equipment alongside reclaimed refrigerant supplies. Training on the new refrigerants is already available, and R-32 has been used in window and PTAC units since 2018.
2026 regulatory update
Under the AIM Act schedule, an aggressive 40% baseline reduction in virgin HFC production and imports took effect in 2024 and remains in place through 2028 before stepping down to a 70% cut in 2029. This steep supply restriction has significantly tightened the availability and raised the cost of virgin R-410A across the entire supply chain.
At the equipment level, manufacturers have been prohibited since January 1, 2025, from producing new residential and light commercial air conditioning and heat pump systems using refrigerants with a GWP of 700 or higher. While the EPA updated its rules to eliminate hard installation cutoffs and prevent stranding pre-2025 legacy inventory, all newly manufactured equipment has fully transitioned to compliant, next-generation A2L alternatives like R-454B and R-32.
How contractors are managing regulations
Apart from keeping up with legislative and regulatory updates, contractors have a job to do servicing their customers who are experiencing refrigerant issues. Cross-contamination and improper mixing remain persistent service headaches for technicians encountering equipment serviced by past providers.
One HVAC contractor working in Southern California currently keeps three refrigerants in each van. He has had to address the consequences of past mixing to save time and keep future costs down on each job. “We see lots of mixing of refrigerants. When we find this, we reclaim the freon, vacuum the system and add one type of refrigerant,” he said.
“When I put my gauges on [the system], I can tell by the difference with the numbers that the previous service provider didn’t do what they were supposed to do,” said Marcus Myles, an operations manager in HVAC. According to him, the responsibility to adhere to EPA regulations lies with him and his team. “I tell all my technicians that we’re all responsible as individuals when it comes to our EPA license.”
Cameron Lucas, an HVAC contracting business owner in Florida, has also noticed issues with past mixing. “We sometimes try to rebalance a refrigerant that might not be balanced due to the previous mixing,” he explained. “We’re getting callbacks on hot days, and our gauges show the pressures are off. Getting those repeat calls makes you start to notice the issues from past mixing.”
In addition to fixing troublesome errors like mixing, contractors are staying up to date with all the news that’s coming out around diagnostics and general best practices from key sources.
“I go directly to the EPA and read up on what I’m supposed to know, and I relay that information to our technicians,” Lucas added. “The EPA is the say-all. As long as you’re keeping your focus on what the EPA is saying, you can’t go wrong. EPA license providers also send out newsletters, and that’s typically where I receive my information first.”
Managing dual inventory: Legacy and A2L
With service trucks carrying both legacy R-410A gear and new A2L tools, managing inventory and communicating with customers requires a deliberate strategy. As the 40% production reduction drives up virgin R-410A prices and tightens supply, transitioning customers to modern systems is not just an environmental choice — it protects them from escalating repair and refrigerant costs over the life of their equipment.
Contractors can also help homeowners see the long-term value of newer platforms. While A2L systems require upgraded safety sensors and engineering, refrigerants like R-32 and R-454B offer superior heat transfer and higher SEER2 ratings that lower monthly energy bills.
In the truck, maintaining strict service integrity is critical. Technicians must keep dedicated, spark-proof vacuum pumps, recovery units, and reverse-threaded fittings on hand specifically rated for A2L refrigerants to prevent cross-contamination and ensure jobsite safety.
Stay on top of new regulations with Ferguson
Staying ahead of refrigerant phase-downs and energy-efficiency standards is essential for maintaining compliance and profitability. Ferguson spoke with contractors about what these standards mean for their businesses. Read our contractor Q&A on new HVAC regulations to get practical insights, equipment selection guides, and industry updates for your business.